Rising Star Kaya Coleman Of Beyond Black Beauty On Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry

…So, if I could spread one idea, it would be that: alchemizing pain into purpose is possible. And it’s something that, with time, patience, and practice, we can all do…

We had the pleasure of talking with Kaya Coleman. Kaya is an emerging talent in Hollywood, currently capturing attention for her lead role in the upcoming Amazon Prime series Beyond Black Beauty. A modern retelling of the classic story, Coleman portrays Jolie Dumont, a young Black equestrian navigating themes of family, identity, and the connection between humans and horses. The series, set to premiere on October 15, 2024, brings a fresh perspective to a story that has been cherished across generations. Coleman’s portrayal not only infuses the character with contemporary relevance but also emphasizes the importance of diversity and representation in modern storytelling.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Kaya Coleman entered the entertainment industry at an exceptionally young age. By the time she was four, she had already signed with a commercial agent in Canada, booking her first professional gigs. A natural performer, Coleman’s passion for acting was clear from the outset. Her early childhood was marked by her close relationship with her single mother, who was a pivotal influence in her life. Raised in a working-class environment, her mother instilled in her a sense of perseverance, work ethic, and the value of joy and connection — qualities that would come to define Coleman’s approach to her craft and career.

Coleman continued to work in commercials throughout her childhood, but by the time she reached 12, her career took a backseat to academic pursuits. Encouraged by her family to prioritize her education, she attended private school and later the University of British Columbia, where she graduated with a degree in Medical Molecular Biochemistry. Despite excelling academically, Coleman found herself missing the creative world she had once been part of. Her mother, who passed away shortly after her graduation, gave her the final push to pursue her passion for acting, urging her to follow her dreams.

Following her mother’s passing, Coleman recommitted herself to the arts, moving to Vancouver and enrolling in the Rogues West Ensemble Acting Program. During this period, she trained rigorously, studying various acting methods and refining her skills. Alongside her acting training, Coleman also returned to modeling, working with major brands like Lululemon, Arc’teryx, Oak + Fort, and Native Shoes. As her acting career began to gain momentum, she landed her first major role in the Paramount film Dangerous Game (2021), an experience she describes as a pivotal moment in her career.

In Beyond Black Beauty, Coleman takes on her first leading role in a television series, marking a significant milestone in her professional journey. The character of Jolie Dumont is a complex one, and Coleman relates deeply to the themes of identity and family portrayed in the show. As a biracial actress, Coleman has spoken openly about her own experiences navigating her mixed-race identity, particularly growing up in a predominantly white environment. These personal experiences inform her portrayal of Jolie, a character who, like Coleman, grapples with questions of belonging and self-discovery.

Off-screen, Coleman is passionate about community and philanthropy, particularly when it comes to issues of representation in the entertainment industry. She is also actively involved in the Candice Prokopchuk Single Parent Relief Fund, a charitable initiative she co-directs in memory of her mother. The fund supports single parents, continuing the legacy of her mother’s selflessness and strength.

When she’s not acting or modeling, Coleman enjoys spending time with friends, staying active through exercise, and exploring new philanthropic ventures. She is driven by a desire to use her platform to bring about meaningful change, both within and outside the entertainment industry. A firm believer in the power of storytelling to challenge perceptions and inspire change, Coleman is focused on building a career that not only entertains but also elevates underrepresented voices.

As she continues to build her career, Kaya Coleman remains a name to watch in Hollywood. With her natural talent, dedication, and passion for creating impactful stories, she is poised to become a prominent figure in the entertainment world. Her work in Beyond Black Beauty is just the beginning of what promises to be a long and illustrious career.

Kaya, it’s an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Kaya: Thank you for having me. I’m really grateful to be here today. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It’s a fairly working-class city that primarily makes its money through oil and gas, so that’s the context. I was raised by my mom, who was a single teen parent. She raised my brother and me on her own. Having only one parent in the household isn’t always easy, but my mom did an incredible job, and she’s my hero to this day and will forever be. She worked multiple jobs but still managed to move with grace and with her heart. Something she really instilled in me is work ethic, but also that, at the end of the day, it’s about joy, connection, and spirit.

Can you share with us what led you to this career as a successful actress?

Kaya: Sure. So, ever since I was a little kid, I would just perform for my mom and auntie. They had one of those old-school recorders where you put the tape in, and they would tape me singing and dancing for the camera. I guess I loved the attention as a kid, for sure. My mom ended up submitting a video of me dancing and singing to an R&B song and sent it to an agent. That’s literally how I got my first agent — my mom cold emailed a video. I think she found the agent in a newspaper. And I’ve been represented since I was three years old. I started doing commercial work as a kid. At that age, you don’t really know what you’re doing — they just tell you to come and have fun, and that’s what I did.

By the time I was about 12, that’s when acting starts to get more serious. You either need to start taking classes and really dedicate yourself to it, or it falls by the wayside. The thing with acting, which I think my family didn’t fully understand, is that it’s a profession that requires its own training. You have to put the same amount of time and effort into acting as you would to become a doctor or a teacher. But my family thought it was more like, “Oh, you just find a camera, look pretty, say the words, and you’re good.” So, around that time, I was pushed more into the academic world. I still had an agent, but I was encouraged by my family to focus on school — build my resume, get a scholarship, maybe become a doctor.

So that’s what I did. I went to a private school from grade 7 to 12, which was its own experience — being a mixed-race girl in a mostly white school — but that’s another story for another time. I went into academia and eventually studied medical molecular biochemistry in university. But it wasn’t until I graduated in 2020, during the pandemic, when my mother got sick with cancer, that I started questioning everything. You know, “What am I doing with my life? Do I feel like this is my purpose? Do I feel inspired?” — all those questions I think a lot of us were asking during the pandemic. While we were taking care of my mom, who was just so selfless, even then, she said, “Kaya, it’s time for you to do what you want to do. You’ve fulfilled your obligations to me, now it’s time to put your effort, time, and heart into acting.”

That’s what I had been talking about for ten years, but I always felt obligated to fulfill my family’s expectations. So, I got my degree, thanked my family, and in 2020, I moved to Vancouver. I started training professionally, taking classes, and put all the time and energy I’d spent studying molecules and biological systems — something I did love — into the craft of acting.

Acting became a great way for me to express myself creatively. It’s one of many tools I’m now learning to use, but at the time, it was everything. As the years have gone by, I’ve realized it’s just one of many ways the universe wants to express itself through me. I’m so grateful to my mom for giving me permission to pursue this. She didn’t have to — she could have focused on herself during that time. But instead, she gave me that permission, which is such a beautiful gift, and I’ll cherish it forever.

Was there a shift that made her change her mind? Like, theoretically, she could have still said, “I want you to pursue medicine.” So what made her make that adjustment?

Kaya: I think when you’re facing something like that, when death is staring you in the face — and the only certainty in life is that we will all die — it changes things. It wasn’t like it was happening in 24 hours, but it was months, and I think that gave her time to reflect on her life. My mom was proud of the choices she made. She did the best she could with the tools she had, no question.

She always wanted me to pursue acting, but she also wanted me to be a doctor. I was always like, “Mom, I can’t do both.” And she’d say, “Yes, you can.” But I knew deep down — I mean, medical school is another $200,000 and another eight years. I didn’t know how people could manage both. I just knew in my soul that I couldn’t do both without burning myself out. I would have no sleep and probably lose a kidney in 10 years from the stress!

I think my mom realized that after 10 years, I was still talking about acting, still thinking about it, still modeling, and dipping my toes in the creative world. So, it wasn’t really a question of one or the other. It was just time. I needed to figure things out on my own. That’s something my mom always understood.

Getting my science degree gave me the perspective that if I could do that — something that wasn’t even my true passion — then I could definitely do acting. And I’ve been doing it ever since.

So, can you tell us the next part of the story? How did you get your first break? How did you start going on auditions?

Kaya: Yeah, I mean, I was technically auditioning when I was in university, but it was like once every five months. And of course, I wasn’t trained. So, when I look back at those tapes, I’m like, “Oh la la.” We all have to start somewhere. And I’m still learning, of course. But once I did my first program, I did a program called the Rogues West Ensemble Program in Vancouver. It was a fairly comprehensive program where we did scene study, Meisner, plays, film, and TV. It was a great foundation. Once I got that foundational training, my auditions went from once every five months to almost four or five a week for months.

That was just auditioning and practicing. I booked Dangerous Game in 2021, I think. The last couple of years have been very muddled — grief will do that to you. And that was my first moment of like, “Oh, I’m doing a Paramount movie.” I didn’t know any of the cast, then I found out I was working with Jon Voight and Dylan Playfair, and I thought, “Okay, this is really cool.” I had done indie horror films before, and that was my first moment where I thought, “Okay, maybe I can really do this.”

It was also the first time my grandfather said, “Oh, you’re an actor.” I was like, “Okay, Grandpa, it’s cool.” That was a really cool experience. We shot for maybe 17 to 19 days, if I recall correctly. I was there pretty much every day. I got to work with incredible actors who had been doing this for many years. They were like, “You’re so young, you’re just starting. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. There’s so much more life to experience.”

Then, about six months later, I booked Beyond Black Beauty, my first lead role in a show for Amazon. That was wild and happened very fast. It all kind of came together quickly. Once you get into a flow, build confidence in your abilities, and keep practicing, things start to happen. I’m a big believer that things come to you when they’re meant to. If something’s not for you, it’s not for you.

That was the mentality I had while auditioning. I think I did around 190 self-tapes before I booked Beyond Black Beauty over those couple of years. Even now, as an actor, we’re still auditioning. I just finished two classes last year and did films last year. I’m constantly trying to improve. I’ve only been doing this for about three years, so there’s still so much more to learn. It’s exciting!

You probably have some amazing stories from all the different parts of your career and being on different sets. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite memories or favorite anecdotes from your professional life?

Kaya: I mean, I will say I really enjoyed working with Jon Voight. He worked on Midnight Cowboy, and that’s just the first one that comes to mind. I think he also did Deliverance. It was so great to hear his stories. It was really special to listen to him talk about what it was like to shoot back in the ’60s and ’70s, and how much the rules and regulations have changed. That was a really special experience. He was also so collaborative. In between takes, everyone would be like, “Hey, how do we make this more fun?” Working with him was just a great experience.

Honestly, another standout moment was when I worked on Beyond Black Beauty. My character in the show is 15, and she’s going through a lot of turmoil and grief, which I was also experiencing in real life at the time. So, that experience felt like a mirror of myself, but also like looking back at a younger version of me since I played a much younger character. It was really interesting. It also made me a little nervous for people to see it because, as I was figuring out my own life, my character, Jolie, was figuring out hers. But I think that’s the beauty of it.

We shot in Belgium and Ontario, and I got to work with horses, which I had never done before. I had so many great experiences on that set. Oh wait, I have a funny one! So, my cousin in the show, her name is Ronnie, played by Gina James, and we had this moment where we were both sneaking out in the morning, trying to get away from our parents. We catch each other and go, “What are you doing up? What are you doing up?”

In the scene, we each had our horses, and it was supposed to be kind of a serious moment. But right in the middle of the scene, the horses started pooping! It was so funny. People thought it was my stomach growling, and I was like, “That was not me, that was the horse over there!” I just remember laughing hysterically. I couldn’t keep it together, and Gina was laughing too. It was such a good moment — like a serious stare-down, and then you just hear that, and it’s like, “Well, that’s working with horses for you!” It was great.

It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting, and the lesson you learned from it?

Kaya: Hmm, I feel like it’s interesting because, for me, I call myself a “recovering perfectionist.” I’m afraid to make mistakes, so sometimes I don’t take risks because of that fear. I’d say, for much of my life, I’ve been very careful. I’ve made mistakes in my personal relationships, but when it came to my work and academics, I was always trying to play it safe. I wanted to take risks, but only when I was sure there wouldn’t be any real risk involved. So, is that even a risk? Not really.

When it comes to my acting, though, I don’t know if I’d call it a mistake, but I do feel like there were times I was unprepared. That said, I also did the best I could with the tools I had at the time. It’s a weird situation — like, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a mistake, but it’s that feeling of knowing you could’ve done better if you had more experience or preparation. But yeah, I can’t think of a big, funny mistake off the top of my head right now. Can I come back to that one? Let me think about it. I do agree, though, that mistakes are a great learning opportunity!

We love hearing stories where someone a little further ahead opens a door or creates an opportunity for somebody, and that changes their career trajectory. Do you have a story where someone did that for you or where you did it for someone else?

Kaya: I really like that question. There are so many moments, but the first one I remember is when I was about four or five years old. I watched Bring It On, and I saw Gabrielle Union on screen in her Clover uniform. I was like, “I’m going to be a cheerleader, and I’m going to be an actor.” I remember that very vividly. I watched that movie about a hundred times, learned the routines, and I was just set on it. It was because I saw someone who looked like me on screen.

I went on to do cheerleading for seven years, and now I’m acting. So, thank you, Gabrielle Union! It’s wild thinking back to my little self and how much that moment impacted me.

That’s great. So you have so many exciting things that you’ve been working on. Can you share with the readers what you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future?

Kaya: Yeah, I’m really excited! Last year, I worked on a rom-com Christmas feature in Calgary, my hometown, and that will be coming out soon. I played a quirky character, and I also got to play an adult, which was fun. I also did a feature horror/musical called Witches X, which will be coming out eventually. Both of those projects haven’t been listed on IMDb yet, but they’re on their way.

Aside from those two films and my acting career in general, I’m really excited about learning and building community. I want to learn how I can better serve others. That’s something I’ve felt a need to do for years, and now I finally feel confident enough to start. I’m ready to start building community and making a difference.

I’m also a co-director of the Candice Prokopchuk Single Parent Relief Fund, which my family and I created after my mom passed away. When she died, so many people wanted to donate, send flowers, and cards. Instead of spending money on that, we decided to create a fund where people could donate as much as they wanted. The fund supports single parents, and for the last few years, we’ve been slowly helping local organizations and people in our community. I’m really passionate about growing that and continuing to help others.

On top of that, I’m looking to connect with other creatives — whether in Calgary, LA, or wherever I go. I’d love to offer free dance workshops and work on community-based projects. I have a lot of different ideas, and I’m ready to start executing them!

As you know, Black Beauty is an extremely beloved franchise. From your insider’s perspective, why do you think the series has captured so many hearts?

Kaya: First, I’d like to clarify that the Beyond Black Beauty series isn’t based directly on the book — it’s inspired by it. That gave the show a lot of freedom to become something new and unique. I think people will be excited to see horseback riding portrayed as a sport in our show. We showcase barrel racing, rodeo, eventing, and show jumping. We had amazing stunt doubles, cool drone footage, and they really made the competitions engaging and fun to watch. Horseback riding is something a lot of people don’t get to see up close because it’s so inaccessible, and that’s one of the things I’m really excited about in the show.

And honestly, horses are magical. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true. I used to be the kind of person who thought, “Horses, okay, whatever.” But once I started the show, I pet my first horse and rode for the first time, and I was like, “Oh, I get it now.” There’s something so grounding about being around them. You learn responsibility, leadership, and the importance of community because it takes more than one person to care for a horse. And if you have multiple horses, you need a whole team. It’s this beautiful goal of taking care of these animals that are so instinctual and sensitive. They’re fight-or-flight creatures, so to work with them, you have to be very calm and centered. I miss the horses we worked with so much!

I think that’s what makes Black Beauty special — the connection to these animals and what they teach us. On top of that, the story itself is one of redemption and growth. It’s about making mistakes and learning from them. The show reflects that idea of being dealt certain cards and then choosing what to do with them. I believe in destiny, but I also believe in choice. We can either move towards our destiny or away from it, and I think this story captures that beautifully.

What lessons do you think society can take from the themes and motifs of the Black Beauty?

Kaya: Yeah. So, I haven’t read all the Black Beauty novels, but when it comes to the TV show, I think there are a lot of valuable lessons, especially since it’s geared towards young adults and families. There’s so much that’s covered in the show, but one of the main things I hope is that people are encouraged to do their own research — specifically about Black cowboy and cowgirl history.

For instance, Bill Pickett and Bill Pickett’s rodeo are important parts of that history. And there’s a modern rodeo star I was looking up today — Judaya Kirsch. She became the first Black rodeo queen in Arkansas in 2018, which wasn’t that long ago. So, I hope the show sparks curiosity, that people watch it and think, “This is the young adult version, but there’s so much more to this story,” and they go out and learn more.

It’s not just about Black cowboy and cowgirl history either — it’s also about English riding and the history of who created those spaces, who exists in them, and why they remain so inaccessible. My character in the show is mixed race and lives with her white family, experiencing privilege by proximity. She’s part of this really wealthy, predominantly white sport. Then she goes to Baltimore, where things are very different, and she’s confronted with new experiences.

I hope viewers see the nuance in every Black person’s experience. The Black community is not monolithic. I can only speak to my own experience as a mixed person, but it’s a complex experience that requires understanding and nuance. There’s so much depth to these stories, and I hope the show encourages conversations about these layers. I could keep rambling on about this because there’s so much to say, but I really appreciate the question!

How do you compare and contrast your personal character, Kaya, with the character you play, Jolie? How are you similar, and how are you different?

Kaya: Yeah, I think what’s so interesting is that I really relate to Jolie in some deep ways, especially in terms of growing up with my white family. I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, with my white family, and like Jolie, I’ve had my own struggles with identity. The difference is that my mom was a single parent, so our financial situation wasn’t like Jolie’s. Jolie lives in a castle in Belgium, which is quite different from my upbringing.

But I didn’t have to act out her background too much in terms of the identity struggle because I’ve lived that. I’m mixed, I speak French, I grew up with my white family, and I’ve struggled with questions like, “Am I Black enough? Am I white enough?” How do I navigate being Black while also acknowledging the privilege I have because I’m mixed? My hair is different, and that comes with its own set of experiences. All those underlying things really helped me connect to Jolie.

I also know what it’s like to be an athlete. I did competitive cheerleading for seven years. I remember telling my mom, “I’m going to the Olympics,” and she was like, “It’s not even an Olympic sport.” And I was like, “It will be!” So I know that drive you have when you’re 15, where it feels like this one thing is your whole world. That’s something I tried to bring to Jolie — she’s got that drive because she hasn’t seen anyone who looks like her in this space, and she wants to break through for all the young Black girls who need to know it’s possible.

Jolie can be bossy and push people around, but it comes from this place of wanting to make a difference, of being a teenager who feels like she has to prove herself. That kind of drive at 15 can lead to arrogance and mistakes. She says and does things where you’re like, “Well, yeah, she’s 15.” I can relate to that struggle of finding yourself, especially in an athletic, competitive space, and also dealing with having a kind of proximity to privilege but still being a Black woman. That complexity is very real to me.

As for the differences, I don’t think I’m as much of a princess as Jolie is — or at least I like to think I’m not! But I’m sure my family might have a different opinion. I was probably more of a princess when I was younger. As you get older, though, life humbles you and you start to realize what really matters.

Can you share a story or example where you felt that you weren’t Black enough or weren’t white enough? Like, what does that look like?

Kaya: I think the most racial confusion I experienced was actually within my own family home. You know, there’s this intersectionality — race, socioeconomic status, and so on. I grew up in a lower socioeconomic status, and the people around us weren’t necessarily all white, but within my family, I often felt like I was “whiter” than them. It was this strange dynamic. I’d get comments at school like, “Oh, you listen to this kind of music? That’s so white.” And I’d be like, “Well, my mom is white, I don’t know what to tell you.” What does that even mean?

Then, when I went to university, I joined the African Caribbean Student Association. I remember going into those spaces and feeling like I didn’t belong. I didn’t know much about my Black roots. My dad’s Black history is from Florida, and I don’t know where exactly we were taken from in Africa. I felt so disconnected, like an imposter, because I didn’t have the same knowledge or connection that others seemed to have.

I’ve felt that kind of disconnection in so many different situations, and people make comments that stick with you. I’ll share one, though it’s pretty messed up. In junior high, this guy said to me, “You’d be so much better looking if you were white.” That stuck with me for years. It made me think, “Would I really be prettier if my skin was a different color?” It was such a damaging thing to hear. Of course, I’ve learned to have grace and forgive because we were all kids, and people are a product of their environment and upbringing. But at the time, it hurt a lot and took a long time to work through.

There were many microaggressions like that. And I know I’m not the only mixed person to experience this, which is why I talk about it. It can feel so isolating sometimes, but I want others to know they’re not alone.

I really appreciate your courage in sharing that. I’m sorry if I was probing.

Kaya: No, I thank you for giving me the space to share my story. I remember reading that everyone has a story, and it reminded me how important it is to be human, to connect with others on a deeper level. It’s easy to get caught up in survival mode, but being here and having this platform to talk about my experiences is something I’m really grateful for. Your questions have been so thoughtful, so thank you for that.

This is our signature question that we ask in a lot of interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, do you have five things that you know now that you wish somebody had told you when you first started?

Kaya: First, I’d like to say that I have an interesting relationship with the word “success.” I still feel like I’m figuring things out, and there’s no clear “break” for me. I don’t think I’ve had that big break yet — I’m just going with the flow, taking it as it comes.

But in terms of things I wish I’d known:

1. Train, train, train: I wish someone had told me earlier that training is everything. There’s this misconception, and I kind of got it from my family, that you just need to be pretty and say the lines and you’re an actor. But no, acting is a craft. You should put in the time to learn the history of acting, understand the different methods, and — most importantly — do it. You can talk about acting all you want, but go to class. Learn by doing. That’s key.

2. There is no rush: I would tell my younger self that there’s no need to rush. Everyone feels like they need to “make it” quickly, but you really don’t want something you’re not ready for. I almost learned that the hard way with Beyond Black Beauty. I kept saying, “I’m ready to lead, I’m ready to lead.” And then suddenly, here I was, the lead of a show — number one on the call sheet for the first time. And it’s a lot. It’s a big responsibility. I realize now you want to be fully prepared for those moments.

3. Have fun: I think I knew this deep down, but I would remind myself to always have fun. It’s so easy to lose sight of the joy when you get caught up in the business side, or when your passion and career become the same thing. It’s not always easy when what you love is also how you pay your bills. So I’d tell myself to hold onto that fun, the joy of acting.

4. Passion and career don’t always need to be the same thing: I’m still figuring this one out, but I think it’s important. It’s great when your passion and your career align, but it’s not always necessary. Sometimes it’s better to have other outlets, other interests that don’t come with pressure. Keep your artistry alive just for the sake of creating, without always feeling the need to monetize it.

5. Have multiple streams of income: This is something I definitely would’ve told myself early on. Having other streams of income is really important, especially in today’s world. Use your other skill sets. Figure out how to monetize things that aren’t necessarily tied to acting. Not everything artistic has to be for money — art can be just for you. But financially, it’s good to have more than one avenue.

So, yeah, I think that was five! My younger self would’ve been much better off with this advice, but honestly, sometimes you have to learn these things when you’re ready. Even if I had told myself all this, I might not have listened at the time.

Can you share with the readers any of the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?

Kaya: I think this might be my favorite question yet. Yes! I love developing a self-care routine that’s flexible and that I can take with me anywhere. Right now, my routine involves a lot of stretching and breathing, with an emphasis on audible exhaling. I learned this from my coach, Kenny Brown. I’ll put a timer on for 20 minutes and just focus on breathing. I think we often don’t realize how much we aren’t breathing deeply. So I’ll get into some weird poses, then exhale — really let my body have a voice, a sound. It’s been incredibly helpful for relieving anxiety. I call it my “breathe, exhale, intuitive movement” practice.

I also love taking time to do my hair, especially when I braid it. I speak affirmations to myself while touching and braiding my hair. Talking to myself in a positive way has been transformative. I believe that our subconscious drives most of our behavior, so I’m always working to make sure my subconscious is working for me, not against me. From zero to seven years old, our subconscious gets programmed by our environment — not by us. So now, as an adult, I see that old programming, and I work on changing it to align with my goals. Affirmations and positive self-talk are a big part of that.

Another key is combining affirmations with physical movement. Our bodies are so intelligent; they hold onto emotions and memories. Sometimes our bodies have things to say, but our mouths don’t always know how to express them. That’s where breathwork comes in — it gives a voice to the sensations and emotions stored in the body. It’s been a beautiful way for me to connect with myself on a deeper level.

This is our aspirational question. Kaya, because of the great work you’re doing and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Kaya: Inspiring. I think, first, I’d like to say that my life is my message. I believe Gandhi said that, and I really resonate with it — my life and actions will speak for themselves. But what I truly hope to spread is the idea that alchemizing pain into purpose is possible. That’s something I deeply believe in.

Turning pain into purpose isn’t easy — it requires courage, and it’s a practice. Some days I’m really good at it, and other days, not so much. But the key is understanding that everything is a process. We’re all consistently evolving, and I wish people could have more capacity for the evolution of those around us — whether they’re on TV or just members of our community.

It’s so easy to put someone on a pedestal just because they’re in the public eye, but we’re all evolving in our own ways. I think it’s important to expand our capacity for understanding and compassion. That, to me, is about evolving our consciousness — learning to rise above lower energies and zooming out to gain perspective on what’s really happening around us.

So, if I could spread one idea, it would be that: alchemizing pain into purpose is possible. And it’s something that, with time, patience, and practice, we can all do.

You know, this is the first time in my life that I’ve heard the word “alchemy” used as a verb. It’s a really great word.

Kaya: I feel like that’s been the last couple of years, especially after my mom died. I mean, my mom was my everything. I remember thinking, “What am I going to do without you?” There was so much pain — pain for the past, pain for the present, pain for the future. Thinking about future events, knowing she wouldn’t be there physically, it hit me hard. I realized I could either sit there and wallow in that pain, or I could respond differently.

There were so many ways I could have reacted, but I had this moment of clarity, like, “Oh, we can transform this energy.” Energy can’t be created or destroyed, as you know. I thought, “We can transform it.” That’s science, right? There goes my science degree! And I think because I was with my mom when she passed — physically present — it was one of those moments that’s really hard to put into words.

I hope one day to write about it or maybe make a movie about it. It was a feeling like I could sense the other side, the possibilities. I felt it all, and it was like, “Whoa, there’s a whole other way to move through this world.” It just takes practice. I don’t know why I shared that — maybe Spirit wanted me to — but it really changed my priorities. Living in alignment is so important to me, and I’m still figuring out how to do that in this world. But that’s the goal. At least I have the mantra, and now it’s about seeing how it manifests physically.

You mentioned a medical background. Do you hope to use that again someday, maybe go in that direction again?

Kaya: The thing with having a science degree is that it kind of has a time limit, because science is always evolving. If I haven’t studied it in many years, applying to medical school would be incredibly difficult. I don’t remember much of my organic chemistry — just the basics, not enough for med school. So I don’t really see that happening.

I see myself taking that background and transforming it into something else. I feel like it helps me break down scientific articles or research when it comes out in the news. That’s how I’ve been using it, like when COVID happened and the vaccine came out. I was reading about it and then explaining it to my family, saying, “Okay, based on my limited knowledge, here’s some information to make it more accessible to you.”

I think it’d be cool one day to write articles where I read through the science and then break it down into simpler terms for people. That could be interesting, but not right now.

There’s our final question. This is what we call a matchmaker question. Sometimes it works. We’re very blessed that prominent leaders and their teams in business read this column. Is there a person in the US, Canada, or anywhere in the world with whom you’d like to have a power lunch, share coffee, or collaborate? We could tag them on social media, and maybe we could help make a connection.

Kaya: Wow, a matchmaker question. That’s interesting because I read this post today, and it was saying, “You need to dream bigger.” I’ve never really thought about who I’d want to meet or if it’s even possible right now. Let me think for a moment. The first person who comes to mind is Lupita Nyong’o. I think it would be absolutely incredible to be in her company. I’d have so many questions for her. She’s just so versatile and graceful in the way she moves through the world. Oh my goodness. I’ll leave it at that. I guess maybe also Gabrielle Union. Yeah, Gabrielle! Oh my God, I love her. Bring It On — it’s so funny. I was watching that when I was way too young, but it really inspired me to pursue cheerleading and acting. So yeah, those two!

So, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support you? How can they watch Beyond Black Beauty?

Kaya: They can follow me on Instagram. That’s where I’m most active — @Kaya_coleman_underscore. I don’t really use TikTok or Facebook much. And Beyond Black Beauty comes out on Amazon on October 15th.

Kaya, it’s been such an honor to meet you. I learned so much from this discussion. You’re really profound and incredibly smart.

Kaya: Thank you so much for this opportunity. I had a feeling this would be a space where I could share my heart and my vulnerability. I’m so glad my instinct was right. Thank you so much. I’m truly honored to be here.

I’m so honored that you felt comfortable. I really appreciate it. And one day, you’re going to be a superstar. You are.

Kaya: What’s meant to be is meant to be. My life is my story. People can take what they want from it and leave the rest.

I wish you continued success and blessings. I hope we can do this again next year when you’re working on another exciting project. And if I can help in any way — whether connecting you with directors, casting agents, or actors — just let me know. I’m happy to make introductions.

Kaya: Thank you, that’s so kind of you to offer. My heart is so full right now. That’s when you know it’s good. Thank you so much.